New member with questions

[wlittle]

Hello there. I am pretty new to this pro-touring thing but have finally realized that this is what I want to build. I have a 76 Ford F-150 and a 77 F-150 that will combine into a nice little project. I have big dreams, but have to start slow as most do. I want to build a full tube frame but have not found much info on building one. I am a welder and have a friend who is an engineer willing to help. Of course I want front and rear independant suspensions, but would like to find the best setup. I know that the frame is a huge project but feel that with your help, working with an engineer and my welding experience and drive that I could do this. I was also wondering about building a frame table or something that would help as far as determinig ride height. Thanks for any help.

[ccracin]

It's always nice to see a new truck project. As far as the chassis goes, check out the pictures in my build thread.

https://lateral-g.net/forums/showthread.php4?t=7505

It shows the chassis I am building along with a good low buck jig to build the chassis.

To start you need to decide what you want in the end. A street truck, a track truck, both, etc. Then go from there asking questions of yourself and then answering them. Yes, you will be talking to yourself shortly. What size wheels and tires, what ride height, air bags, coil overs, rack and pinion, front steer, rear steer, etc............. Once you decid on all this, it just a matter of connecting the dots. If you try to figure this stuff out as you go it will take forever and cost twice as much.

Next, a good place to start is measuring the existing chassis. This can be done easily with no disassembly. Get the truck up off the ground far enough for you to crawl around under. Use good stands. Make sure the truck frame is level front to rear and side to side. A 4' carpenter level does a good job. Then if you have a level floor start measuring all the important parts. Body mounts, suspension hanger points, rail heights, thicknesses, etc. More data is better than too little. If the floor is not level go to sears and get a cheap laser level and use it as base point. Measure from that laser line to all your points. Make a little sketch with all the points. Then your engineer can make a sketch of the stock chassis. Then since you have all your earlier questions answered plunk everything in and stay within the envelope of the origianal and everything should fit. Granted this is an over simplification but should get you going. Dive in the water's fine. You will love this site, these people are top notch.

Hope this helps a little.

Good luck,

[wlittle]

Thanks for the info, it will come in handy. I am hopefully soon moving from a two car garage with all the storage from the house and kids bikes, etc to a 36x42 shop for me alone and then I will be able to start. I am still planning this project. I have always wanted a big-block ford motor, which I have now, but am also thinking about a 5.4 and rebuild it to more performance. I have never seen any articles about rebuilding a newer engine however. I like the idea of an updated drivetrain but am also limited on a budget. Not sure which way to go. My plan for the truck is for a driver that I can teach my boys about being different and using their imagination. They are at the ages that they would get so much out of building a truck from ground up. Anyways we all have our dreams an goals and this has been mine for a long time and am starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel.